Berlin Prepares for Elections: More Polling Stations, Booths, and Support Staff

Preparations for the autumn elections in Berlin are entering a crucial phase, with the local administration placing particular emphasis on avoiding logistical failure. Stephan Bröchler, serving as the Landeswahlleiter, announced at a press conference that on 20 September 2026, voters will have access to approximately 2,500 polling stations. This is an increase of one-tenth compared to the repeated elections in 2023. Each location is to be equipped with four to six booths, intended to ensure smooth flow and eliminate the long queues that became symbolic of problems in previous years. In addition to physical infrastructure, the city is investing in human capital. 40,000 volunteers will be engaged to handle the electoral process, representing an increase of 5,000 people compared to the last round. Bröchler emphasized that the priority is to protect citizens' trust in democratic institutions. According to estimates, around 2.5 million residents in Berlin are eligible to vote. This situation requires precise coordination, especially in the context of the growing popularity of postal voting, the exact number of drop-off points for which will be determined at a later date. In 2021, the Berlin elections coincided with a marathon, leading to traffic paralysis and a lack of ballot papers in many electoral commissions. This resulted in the unprecedented decision by the Constitutional Court to annul the results and the necessity to repeat the elections in 2023. The Berlin authorities are striving to erase the negative impression left by the events of a few years ago. „We must be careful not to damage democracy.” — Stephan Bröchler Increasing the number of booths and staff is intended to guarantee that every citizen can cast their vote under dignified conditions, without having to wait for hours outside the polling station. These reforms are not only an operational necessity but also a political signal that the German capital can efficiently manage democratic processes even under high voter turnout pressure.